BEDALE Festival celebrated one of it’s best events as crowds packed into the hall park to support it.

Organised by Bedale Scouts and Guides, the crowds included Richmond MP Rishi Sunak who helped judge the parade floats with the Rector of Bedale, Rev Ian Robinson and Detective Superintendent Mick Hunter.

The parade set off from Benkhill Road and passed through the town centre to Bedale Hall for judging. The winners in the scout and guide section were Bedale Brownies and Aiskew Under-fives won the pre-schools section.

The event also featured live music, stalls and the first ever Bedale Bake Off, which attracted entries from young children to the elderly.

Event organiser Claire Mosby, of Bedale Scouts and Guides, said there had been an excellent attendance. She said: “We don’t know the exact numbers because there is no entry charge but most people seem to think it was our best-ever attendance.”

The event is expected to raise more than £2,500 for the scouts, who are raising money to convert former fire station buildings on their site to a climbing wall facility. It will also raise money for Bedale Community Minibus.